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May 7,2008
Brothers and Sisters today May 7, 2008, the
Union and company had our quarterly meetings
that are spelled out in the labor
contrct.The first meeting was regarding
safety. (Article X section 3 page 42.) The
Union safety committe was I.O. Rep. George
Crawford, Scott Smith, Greg Germany, Charlie
Jackson, Monty Makarwich, Mark Lane, Gary
Mayo, and Bart Powell. The company committee
was Reggie Bonner, Mike Carter, Rick
Chapman, Kyle Davis, Ashleigh Trimble,
Leslie Tidwell, and Jim Reynolds.
Topics of discussion were as follows:
1. The lack of phase sticks for the work
force.
2. The primary area meetings. When one needs
to wear rubber gloves. Company position is
cradle to cradle.
3. Discussion on outrigger sensors being
bypassed in tight alleys so outriggers can
be put down in tight spots.
4. Discussion on the need for dispatchers to
get in contact with customers before sending
employees to address on single lights out
after hours.
5. Discussion on feeders becoming energized
while employees are shooting trouble during
storms without warning.
6. Not enough different sizes of rubber
gloves in stock.
7. Discussion on if employees need to wear
rubber gloves while skinning wire if neither
end is terminated. company said they would
get answer.
In the afternoon the two parties met to
discuss Benefits.(Article X section 19. page
51.)
Union Committee was George Crawford Scott
Smith, Greg Germany, Charlie Jackson, Monty
Makarwich, Gary Mayo, and Gary Mosher. The
company committee was the same minus Leslie
and Jim (the safety reps) The Topic of
discussion was the IBEW National Health care
plan. Both parties are looking at all the
options. There was also discussion on the
Union Veba money. I cannot be more specific
on the issues I was unable to attend the
meetings because I am in Salado, Tx. for our
monthly Unit meeting. If you have specific
questions regarding the meetings please
contact one or more of the committee
members.
Fraternally,
Bobby
W. Reed
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May
2, 2008
We concluded our "Contract Language
Clarification" meeting today in Fort Worth,
Texas. Union Representatives attending the
meeting were I. O. Rep. George Crawford, Scott
Smith, Greg Germany, Monty Makarwich, and Bobby
Reed. Company Reps. Rick Champan, Mike Carter,
Reggie Bonner, Ashleigh Trimble, (HR) and Kyle
Davis (HR).
We began the meeting discussing a recent
vehicle accident that occurred in the Eastern
Region where two employees were injured when the
truck they were in flipped numerous times. One
of the employees was feeling pressured to show
up to work so this would not be a lost time
accident. Mr. Chapman assured us that this was
not the case, that the employees well being
comes first and he would keep us updated on this
matter.
The next issue discussed was the Serviceman
issue in Brownwood and Stephenville TX. The
Union contends the Company does not have the
right to make "wholesale moves" the way they did
in Brownwood and Stephenville by transferring
the servicemen from the service trucks to line
trucks and replacing the servicemen on the
service trucks with Journeyman linemen. The
Company contends this was done for training
purposes and they have always moved those
employees around when needed. The company
supplied the union with documentation that shows
movement between the trucks, but we have not had
an opportunity to review the information with
Paul Foster or Mark Hudson.
The next topic for discussion was Rest Time.
The two parties disagree on the interpretation
of the rest time language. The company maintains
the last two hours of the window do not count
toward rest time if you are not called out and
work into the last two hours. The Union's
position is if we are called out to work before
the two hours prior to our start time then
called back in the two hour window immediately
prior to your regular shift the two hours before
the beginning of the shift would count toward
rest time. The first time this happens we need
to file a grievance! Please keep good notes and
keep our office advised.
Next, was the four day ten hour work week
language the company has been working on. During
negotiations everyone overlooked the fact
there were people working 4-10's. The company
has language that will accommodate these
employees. We are still waiting.
Discussions then went to the recent storms
and how the company has handled these storms.
The Union requested their storm restoration
manual and they directed us how to go online and
get it.
Our Storeroom employees was the next issue.
The Union wanted to know when we were going to
get a response to our request foe information
regarding the storeroom employees dated February
27, 2008. Ashleigh Trimble stated she had
the raw data and was waiting for the managers to
look it over and she would have it to us by the
end of this week. The company stated there were
no storekeepers 1, 2, or 3's everybody was 4 and
up. They also stated they were looking at
movement for employees to be moved to the
Storekeeper Sr. position. After we receive the
information from the company we will review the
info. and relay to confirm. It was stated that
it is becoming a great burden on these employees
covering more than one service center. Kyle
Davis stated that pay for storeroom employees in
the Utility Industry is very high. The Union
knows how valuable the storeroom employees are
and will continue to fight for higher wages.
The Union and Company did agree on
something, we agreed to work together to create
an accurate seniority list.
We then discussed fraud protection
reimbursement for certain employees. We can
discuss this at our unit meetings.
Finally, last but not least we discussed
upgrade pay. The company has now stated that if
a Journeyman is to receive upgrade pay of $3.00
an hour they will be informed before leaving the
service center in the morning.
This is the best I could do at summing
everything up, yes I know it was lengthy there
was a lot said. Greg, Scott, and Monty did a
good job today representing everyone. The main
thing we learned today is we have a lot of work
to do. Let's work together and keep each other
informed. Whatever we are having the most
trouble with the next three years will be at the
top of the list when we meet to negotiate our
next contract.
Fraternally,
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